Endoscope Wire Attachment Mechanism for Easy Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face complications in the attachment and detachment of the proximal end of the wire to the connection part, leading to impaired operability and increased complexity in cleaning and disinfection due to the narrow internal space and intricate mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope design incorporates a rotating member with an engaging projection and a locking mechanism, allowing for easy attachment and detachment of the wire without compromising the operability of the operating part, featuring a cap member to maintain tension and a D-cut rotation restricting surface for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the wire is inserted through a narrow guide tube, then the structure is compact, but cleaning and disinfection become time-consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The guide tube is divided into an inner guide tube and an outer guide tube that can be separated from each other. This segmentation allows the inner guide tube to be removed and cleaned separately, making it possible to thoroughly clean narrow internal passages without disassembling the entire endoscope structure.
2Reliability
If the connection tool with set screw is used to attach wire to erection operating lever, then the connection is secure, but the attachment and detachment work becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a set screw that requires rotation and tightening, the invention uses a push-button release mechanism. The button is pressed to release the wire, inverting the conventional approach where a screw is tightened to secure the wire. This makes attachment and detachment simple single-action operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism uses elastic deformation of the wire itself to maintain the connection. The wire's own elasticity provides the securing force, eliminating the need for additional fastening components like set screws, while still ensuring reliable attachment.
3Volume of stationary object
If the operating part interior space is reduced, then the structure is more compact, but the operability of the operating part is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The wire is routed externally along the outer periphery of the operating part rather than through its internal space. This dimensional change allows the operating part to maintain a compact size while still providing adequate space for operational components and maintaining full operability.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an endoscope that can easily perform the attachment and detachment work of a proximal end side of a wire without impairing the operability of an operating part.The an endoscope includes an operating part (22) including an erection operating lever (20), an insertion part (24), an elevator (30), a wire (60) that is disposed to be inserted into a wire channel (62) to be movable forward and backward therethrough and is attachably and detachably coupled to the elevator (30) on a distal end side thereof, an opening part (94) that is provided at a proximal end of the wire channel (62) and delivers the proximal end side of the wire (60) to the outside of the operating part (22), a rotating member (96) that is disposed to be exposed to the outside of the operating part (22) and is configured to be rotatable around a rotational axis (96A) having a component in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the operating part (22) depending on the operation of the erection operating lever (20), an engaged part (144) that is provided in the rotating member (96), and an engaging part (98) that is provided on the proximal end side of the wire (60) and is engageably and disengageably engageable with the engaged part (144).